Cryptanalysis of an e_cient three-party password-based key exchange scheme

AbstractIn order to secure communications between two clients with a trusted server's help in public network environments, a three-party password-based authenticated key exchange (3PAKE) scheme is used to provide the transaction confidentiality and e_ciency. In 2010, Lou-Huang proposed a new simple three-party password-based authenticated key exchange (LH-3PAKE) scheme based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). By analysis, Lou-Huang claimed that the proposed LH- 3PAKE scheme is not only secure against various attacks, but also more e_cient than previously proposed 3PAKE schemes. However, this paper demonstrates LH-3PAKE scheme is vulnerable to o_-line password guessing attacks by an attacker

Understanding the Importance of Visual Merchandising on Store Image and Shopper Behaviours in Home Furnishings Retail Setting

The present study attempts to identify the important visual merchandising factors and examine the relationships of those factors with store images and shopper behaviours in the context of home furnishings retail setting. Factor analysis was employed to identify dimensions of the importance of visual merchandising and correlation analyses were implemented to examine the relationships among the variables in this study. Of four store image dimensions, Store Environment was significantly related to Layout/Organization and Creative/Inspirational Coordination factors of visual merchandising. New Style/Trend Information aspect of store image was significantly related to Window/Merchandise Display and Creative/Inspirational Coordination of visual merchandising factors. Merchandise Assortment construct of store image was significantly related to Layout/Organization and Creative/Inspirational Coordination aspects of visual merchandising. Appealing Exhibition dimension of store image was significantly related to Layout/Organization and Creative/Inspirational Coordination aspects of visual merchandising. Among five constructs, creative/inspirational coordination of the store was significantly and positively related to visit frequency. However, none of the importance of visual merchandising constructs was correlated to either amount of time spent shopping or the number of items purchased at one time shopping at home furnishings store. Based on the findings of the study, discussions and implications were provided. Key words: home furnishings retail store, visual merchandising, store image, shopper behaviours

Willingness to pay for accessible elderly housing in Korea

The demands and requirements for accessible housing of a diverse population can vary considerably, especially considering that “aging in place” is a growing trend among the elderly. In an aging society, accessibility can be a housingmarket commodity, and the demand in Korea for this commodity is expected to increase. The purpose of this study is to investigate the value of accessible housing and the consumer᾽s willingness to pay (WTP) using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). For the analysis, 700 people were interviewed based on the housing type and age group. More than half of the respondents were willing to pay more for accessible housing compared to conventional housing. The WTP amount differed considerably with the age group, gender, housing type, size of unit, and tenure type. The elderly showed a greater WTP than the younger group; higher economic status (as indicated by monthly household income), educational level, and home ownership influenced WTP. The results showed that accessible housing could be an important housing choice for the elderly and can be adopted as an affordable option. Moreover, the results can help reduce the negative perception of accessible housing, which is commonly associated with its supposed high costs. First published online 16 October 201

Effects of music therapy and rhythmic exercise on quality of life, blood pressure and upper extremity muscle strength in institution-dwelling elderly women.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of music therapy and rhythmic exercise on health related quality of life, blood pressure and upper extremity muscle strength in the institution-dwelling elderly women. Methods: The study was designed using a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The participants consisted of 35 elders (18 in the experimental group and 17 in the control group). The music therapy and rhythmic exercise were developed by the investigators. The experimental group took part in this program twice a week for 8 weeks. The Short Form 36 health survey questionnaire, blood pressure and grasp power scale were used as instruments. The data were analyzed using SPSS 14.0. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that music therapy and rhythmic exercise had positive effects on quality of life, especially on vitality, general health and mental health. Also, there were statistically significant differences in diastolic blood pressure and upper extremity muscle strength between the pretest and posttest in the experimental group. Conclusion: The study suggests that this program can be applied for older women in long-term facilities to improve quality of life, blood pressure and upper extremity muscle strength

6,7-Bis(bromo­meth­yl)-2,11,18,21,24,27-hexa­oxatetra­cyclo­[26.4.0.04,9.012,17]dotriaconta-1(28),4,6,8,12(17),13,15,29,31-nona­ene dichloro­methane monosolvate

The title 20-crown-6 unit, C28H30Br2O6·CH2Cl2, consisting of three benzo groups and triethyl­ene glycol was prepared from the reaction of 1,2,4,5-tetra­kis­(bromo­meth­yl)benzene and bis­phenol in the presence of sodium hydride. In the crystal, one O atom of the central ethyl­ene glycol in the triethyl­ene glycol unit exhibits an exo conformation as a result of intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crown unit and the solvent mol­ecule are linked by weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

Generation of high concentration nanobubbles based on friction tubes

Nanobubble-related technologies have been confirmed to be useful in various fields such as climate change and the environment as well as water-based industries such as water purification, crops, horticulture, medical care, bio, and sterilization. However, a method of mass production in real time enough to apply nano-bubbles to the industry has not yet been developed. We explored the mechanism of nano-bubble water generation by friction between water and walls and developed a tube device applying the shape of the flow path to maximize the friction in the fluid passing through the flow path. It also describes the case of real-time and low-power mass production of nanobubbles and its technical utility. We found that the friction of nanotubes alone can easily and quickly improve the production of nanobubbles with small particle size in real time; by increasing the shearing pressure while increasing the effective friction constant value, the particle size of nanobubbles can be smaller while increasing the particle concentration.Comment: 24 pages, 24 figures, 6 table

Translation and validation of the Korean confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Delirium is a common problem and associated with poor outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Diagnosis of delirium in ICU patients is limited and usually underdiagnosed by physicians. The Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) is one of the most widely used screening methods for detection of ICU delirium. Our goal was to translate and validate the CAM-ICU for use in the Korean ICU setting.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Translation of the CAM-ICU was done according to the guidelines suggested by the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Group. For validation and interrater reliability assessment of the Korean CAM-ICU, two nurses independently assessed delirium in ICU patients and the results were compared with the reference evaluation, which was done by a psychiatrist using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty-two patients were evaluated by two nurses and one psychiatrist expert independently. During the study period, we have continuously educated study nurses. Based on DSM-IV criteria, 16 out of 22 (72.7%) patients developed delirium. The sensitivities of the two nurses' evaluations using the Korean CAM-ICU were 89.80% for nurse 1 and 77.40% for nurse 2. Their specificities were 72.40% and 75.80% and their overall accuracy was 83.33% and 88.37% respectively. The Korean CAM-ICU was done with reasonable interrater reliability between nurse 1 and nurse 2 (κ = 0.81, <it>p </it>< 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The Korean CAM-ICU showed good validity and could be incorporated into clinical practice in Korean ICUs.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ISRCTN: <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN50265663">ISRCTN50265663</a></p

Potential role and mechanism of IFN-gamma inducible protein-10 on receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) expression in rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction IFN-gamma inducible protein-10 (CXCL10), a member of the CXC chemokine family, and its receptor CXCR3 contribute to the recruitment of T cells from the blood stream into the inflamed joints and have a crucial role in perpetuating inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial joints. Recently we showed the role of CXCL10 on receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) expression in an animal model of RA and suggested the contribution to osteoclastogenesis. We tested the effects of CXCL10 on the expression of RANKL in RA synoviocytes and T cells, and we investigated which subunit of CXCR3 contributes to RANKL expression by CXCL10. Methods Synoviocytes derived from RA patients were kept in culture for 24 hours in the presence or absence of TNF-α. CXCL10 expression was measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of cultured synoviocytes. Expression of RANKL was measured by RT-PCR and western blot in cultured synoviocytes with or without CXCL10 and also measured in Jurkat/Hut 78 T cells and CD4+ T cells in the presence of CXCL10 or dexamethasone. CXCL10 induced RANKL expression in Jurkat T cells was tested upon the pertussis toxin (PTX), an inhibitor of Gi subunit of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR). The synthetic siRNA for Gαi2 was used to knock down gene expression of respective proteins. Results CXCL10 expression in RA synoviocytes was increased by TNF-α. CXCL10 slightly increased RANKL expression in RA synoviocytes, but markedly increased RANKL expression in Jurkat/Hut 78 T cell or CD4+ T cell. CXCL10 augmented the expression of RANKL by 62.6%, and PTX inhibited both basal level of RANKL (from 37.4 ± 16.0 to 18.9 ± 13.0%) and CXCL10-induced RANKL expression in Jurkat T cells (from 100% to 48.6 ± 27.3%). Knock down of Gαi2 by siRNA transfection, which suppressed the basal level of RANKL (from 61.8 ± 17.9% to 31.1 ± 15.9%) and CXCL10-induced RANKL expression (from 100% to 53.1 ± 27.1%) in Jurkat T cells, is consistent with PTX, which inhibited RANKL expression. Conclusions CXCL10 increased RANKL expression in CD4+ T cells and it was mediated by Gαi subunits of CXCR3. These results indicate that CXCL10 may have a potential role in osteoclastogenesis of RA synovial tissue and subsequent joint erosion

Friction Tubes to Generate Nanobubble Ozone Water with an Increased Half-Life for Virucidal Activity

Nanobubbles and related technologies are expected to be highly utilized in water resource-based industries such as water purification, crops, horticulture, medicine, bio, and sterilization. Ozone, a chemical with high sterilizing power, is known as a natural substance that is reduced to oxygen and water after reacting with pollutants. Ozone water, which is generated by dissolving ozone in water, has been used in various industrial sectors such as medical care, food, and environment. Due to the unstable molecular state of ozone, however, it is difficult to produce, use, and supply ozone at industrial sites in a stable manner. This study proposed a method for constructing a system that can generate high-concentration ozone water in large quantities using low power in real time and maintaining the concentration of the generated ozone water over the long term. Friction tubes (called 'nanotube') played a key role to generate nanobubble ozone water with an increased half-life for virus killing activity. In addition, the safety of ozone water during its spray into the air was explained, and virucidal activity test cases for the influenza A (H1N1/A/PR8) and COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus using high-concentration ozone water as well as its technical efficacy were described